getParameter(name) problem

There was an issue some time ago with getParam(), not returning the
right values. As far as I know, this one was fixed, however I still have
some problems.

For example, it does not make difference between "id" and "component_id"

public Object getItem(String key)
{
            ViewContext vc = getViewContext();
            .....

            // this will return 466, which is wrong, as it is not "id",
it just
ends with "id"
            String s = vc.getRequest().getParameter("id");

            // this will also return 466, which is ok
            String s = vc.getRequest().getParameter("component_id");
}

the url used to call this event is someEvent.event?component_id=466. 
Does anybody have some clue about what is happenning?

Thank you

        jancsi